Spinning ring



H. R. OSTERMAN March 19, 1963 SPINNING RING Filed Aug. 9, 1961 TTORNEY Inn -tie tes are flfice 3,081,592 SPINNING RING Henry R. Osterman, Whitinsville, Mass, assignor to Whitinsville Spinning Ring Co., Whitinsville, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Aug. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 130,275 3 Claims. (Cl. 57-120) This invention relates to a spinning ring and more par- 'cularly to apparatus arranged to cooperate with a traveler in the spinning of yarns, it being understood that the expression spinning ring is intended to cover twisting rings also.

It is common in the construction of spinning rings to provide them with lubricant, either by means of a wick or by a pressurized lubrication system, in order that the surface of the ring contacted by the traveler may be lubricated sufficiently to promote longer wear of the ring and of the traveler. While it is a relatively simple matter to supply lubricant to a single portion of the ring, it is more difficult to supply it to the entire circumference of the ring so that lubrication of the entire traveler-engaging surface is accomplished. Attempts to provide a plurality of lubricating positions around the periphery of the ring have met with little success because the previously-known methods have been very expensive and complicated. These and other ditficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a spinning ring in which lubricant is supplied to the traveler-engaging surface at a plurality of points around the periphery of the ring.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a spinning ring having plural lubrication points, the construction of the ring being simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a spinning ring having means for lubricating the entire surface which is to engage the traveler without the danger of lubricants spoiling the yarn.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a spinning ring having plural passages leading to lubricant openings in which the clogging of one passage by lubricant will not result in a total failure of lubrication.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a spinning ring having a lubrication system which is operative to lubricate the entire traveler-engaging surface even at high traveler speeds and which equally is effective with either .oil or grease as the lubricant.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a spinning ring having a lubrication system provided with two branches, thus reducing the possibility of total lubrication failure, and in which the system is provided with a resilient wall which acts as an energy-absorbing member to reduce fluctuations in lubricant flow.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a spinning ring having a lubricant passage which is formed in a novel and inexpensive manner.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those slc'lled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to certain of its structural forms as illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan View of a spinning ring, incorporating the principles of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the spinning ring taken on the line lI-II of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the spinning ring taken on the line III-4H of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of an alternative form of the invention, and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the alternative form shown in FIG. 4 taken at another point in its periphery.

Referring first to FIG. 1, which shows the general features of the invention, the spinning ring, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown in use with a pressure lubricating system 11 consisting of a motor 12 connected in driving relation to a pump 13. The inlet of the pump 13 is connected by a conduit 14 to a sump 15 containing a supply of liquid lubricant, such as oil, although grease could also be used. The outlet of the sump 15 is connected through a check valve 16 to a main line 17. From the main line extends a branch line 18 leading to the ring 10. The ring is provided with a substantial laterallyextending flange 19 having a slotted car 21 at one side and a slotted ear 22 at the other side to provide for the attachment of the spinning ring to a spinning frame (not shown).

As is evident in FIGS. 2 and 3, the spinning ring 10 is of the standard type having a vertical cylindrical bearing surface 23 facing inwardly of the ring. The inside of the ring is also provided at the upper portion with a beveled surface 24 which extends upwardly and away from the axis of the ring. The beveled surface 24 merges into a rounded upper surface 25 while the lower end of the vertical surface 23 merges into a similar rounded lower surface 26. As is evident in the drawings, the flange 19 is located substantially closer to the upper surface 25 than to the lower surface 20. Underlying the flange 19, the ring is provided with a radially outwardly-extending flange 26 having considerably greater vertical extent than the flange 19 but not extending radially outwardly to as great an extent. The flange 19 is provided with a radial plane undersurface 27 which lies in opposition to, spaced from, and parallel to an upper plane surface 28 of the flange 26.

Between these surfaces is defined an annular groove 29 extending entirely around the ring and terminating in a cylindrical bottom surface 31.

Lying in the groove 29 is a tube 32 which extends entirely around the ring and is located in the outer portion of the groove 29 so as to leave a considerable space or passage which is defined and limited by the inwardlyfacing surface of the tube, the cylindrical bottom 31, and the two parallel surfaces 27 and 23. The tube 32 is, in the preferred embodiment, formed of nylon, although it could be formed of any elastomer substance which would not be subject to corrosion from the lubricant. The size of the tube is such that it fits tightly between the surfaces 27 and 23 of the groove. Extending upwardly from the bottom of the flange 2c is a bore 33 which is closed at its lower end by a plug 34. The upper end of the bore 33 terminates slightly above the lower surface 27 of the flange 19; the surface of the bore intersects the groove 29 to provide an opening between the bore and the groove. A radial bore 35 extends inwardly from the outer cylindrical surface of the flange 2-6 to intersect the bore 33; at its radially outward end the bore 35 is provided with a conical counterbore 36 into which a fitting 37 is pressed. The fitting at its inner end is formed with a conical surface to engage and be attached to the conical counterbore 36, while at its outer end it is threaded for engagement with the branch line 18 leading to the pressure lubricating system 11.

FIG. 3 shows a section of the ring taken approximately away from the section shown in FIG. 2. In this position a bore 38 extends downwardly and outwardly from the beveled surface 24 to intersect the groove 29. At its inner end the bore 38 is provided with a conical counterbore 39 which opens only on the beveled surface 24 and not to any extent on the vertical surface 23. A similar bore and counterbore are provided 90 away from the section shown in FIG. 2 in the other direction, the posi tioning of these elements being shown clearly in FIG. 1 where the counterbores are indicated. Also, FIG. 3 shows the manner in which the traveler 41 is associated with the ring and with a length of yarn 42.

The operation of the apparatus will now be readily understood in view of the above description. With the motor 12 operating the pump 13, lubricant is passed from the sump 15 through the conduit 14 and through the check valve 16 to the main line 17. Thus, pressure lubricant flows through the branch line 18, through the fitting 3'7, and the bore 35. Lubricant then passes upwardly through the bore 33 into the groove 29.

Because of the elastomer quality of the tube 32, the chamber formed by the groove 29 and the tube 32 acts as a pressure storage means which has a tendency to smooth out any irregularities in the lubricant pressure, because it acts resiliently in the manner of a pressure accumulator. Now, lubricant passes around the groove 29 in both directions; and in each direction it eventually comes to a bore 38 and passes upwardly into the counterbore 39 from which area it flows downwardly onto the surface 23. Now, the traveler 41 under the impetus of the yarn 42 glides around the ring at a very rapid rate with a straight center portion engaging the cylindrical vertical surface 23 of the ring. The lubricant, therefore, is evenly distributed by the traveler.

It can be seen that, if the groove 29 between the bore 33 and one of the bores 38 becomes clogged, at least the other branch of the lubricating system is open for the flow of lubricant, so that the lubricant supply will not fail entirely. It should also be pointed out, however, that the provision, which the present invention suggests, of providing a plurality of lubricant openings on the ring surface is advantageous because of the fact that at high speed it is difficult for the traveler to wipe lubricant entirely around the vertical surface 23. However, with the present invention, it is only necessary for it to wipe the lubricant over 180 of the circumference, while it picks up more lubricant at the next counterbore 39. An even greater number of openings could, of course, be provided to increase this effect.

FIGS. 4 and show the application of the present invention to a so-called conical spinning ring 100. This type of ring is also provided with a flange 119 which extends radially outwardly thereof. However, the inner surface of the ring is a conical surface 123 which terminates at its lower end in a rounded lower surface 120. At its upper end, the conical surface 123 merges with a concave surface 124 which, in turn, merges with a conical upper surface 125. The conical upper surface 125 slopes downwardly and inwardly of the ring, while the conical surface 123 slopes downwardly and outwardly, i.e., the cone has its large end downward. Extending radially outwardly of the ring below the flange 119 is another flange 126. The flange 119 is provided with a plane radial undersurface 127 while the flange 126 is provided with a plane upper surface 128, the two surfaces being spaced and parallel to define a groove 129 terminating in a bottom surface 131. vLying in the groove 129' is a nylon tube 132 formed into a complete annulus by cementing the ends of a length'of tube together. The tubeis .also slightly greater in diameter than the distance between the surfaces 127 and 128 and is fastened in place by a tight fit. A bore l33 extends upwardly through the flange 126 and is provided at its lower portion with a plug 134 and at its upper portion intersects the groove 129. A bore 135 extends radially through the flange into the bore 133 and is provided at its outer end with a conical counterbore 136 for attachment to a pressure lubricating system.

Referring to FIG. 5, which'is a sectional view through the ring 1% taken 90 away from the portion shown in FIG. 4,"a cylindrical bore 138 extends downwardly at a slight angle from the upper surface 125. Similar bore 139 extends inwardly through the ring from the concave surface 124 and intersects the bore 138 at its midpoint. The

upper end of the bore 138 may preferably be somewhat enlarged by a circumferential slot 144 which extends laterally in either direction a short distance from the opening of the bore 138 on the surface 125. In connection with the ring ltltl it can be seen that a traveler 141 extends around the ring and is associated with a length of yarn 142.

The operation of this modified version of the invention will be readily understood. The traveler 141 contacts not only the conical surface 123 but also the upper surface 125. The lubricant supplied to the groove 129 behind the tube 132 arrives from the bore and the bore 133. At the bore 133 the lubricant not only flows onto the concave surface 124 and then moves to its inner edge to flow outwardly and downwardly onto the surface 123 (Where it is engaged and picked up by the traveler), but also it moves upwardly through the bore 138 and the slot 140 onto the surface 125 where the traveler also serves to distribute it entirely around the surface 125 of the ring. Here again, similar bores 138 and 139 are provided at 90 from the position of the bore 133 in both directions around the ring giving the advantage of complete lubrication at high speed movement of the traveler 141 around the ring and also insuring against total loss of lubrication in case one branch of the passages becomes clogged due to dirt or solidifica tion of lubricant or other similar reasons.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A spinning ring, comprising an annular main body having an inner bearing surface for contact with a traveler, a groove extending entirely around the main body and opening on an outer surface thereof, a resilient impermeable member fastened in the groove and spaced away from the bottom thereof to define an annular passage around the main body, means supplying lubricant under pressure to the said passage at a single position on the circumference of the main body, and two lubricating ports extending from the passage to a surface of the main body overlying the said bearing surface at positions substantially removed from the said single position.

2. A spinning ring, comprising an annular main body having an inner bearing surface for contact with a traveler, a groove extending entirely around the main body and opening on an outer surface thereof, an elongated nylon sealing tube fastened in the groove and spaced away from the bottom thereof to define an annular passage around the main body, means supplying lubricant under pressure to the said passage at a single position on the circumference of the main body, and at least two lubricating ports extending from the passage to a surface of the main body overlying the said bearing surface at positions substantially removed from the said single position.

3. A spinning ring, comprising an annular main body having an inner upwardly-extending annular bearing surface for contact with a traveler, a rectilinear groove extending entirely around the main body and opening on an outer surface thereof, an elongated plastic sealing tube fastened in the groove and spaced away from the bottom thereof to define an annular passage around the main body, means supplying lubricant under pressure to the said. passage at a single position on the outer circumference of the main body, and at least two lubricating ports extending from the passage to an inner surface of the main body overlying the said bearing surface at positions approximately 90 degrees away from the said single position.

Wright June 25, 1935 Atwood Jan. 6, 1959 

3. A SPINNING RING, COMPRISING AN ANNULAR MAIN BODY HAVING AN INNER UPWARDLY-EXTENDING ANNULAR BEARING SURFACE FOR CONTACT WITH A TRAVELER, A RECTILINEAR GROOVE EXTENDING ENTIRELY AROUND THE MAIN BODY AND OPENING ON AN OUTER SURFACE THEREOF, AN ELONGATED PLASTIC SEALING TUBE FASTENED IN THE GROOVE AND SPACED AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM THEREOF TO DEFINE AN ANNULAR PASSAGE AROUND THE MAIN BODY, MEANS SUPPLYING LUBRICANT UNDER PRESSURE TO THE SAID PASSAGE AT A SINGLE POSITION ON THE OUTER CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE MAIN BODY, AND AT LEAST TWO LUBRICATING PORTS EXTENDING FROM THE PASSAGE TO AN INNER SURFACE OF THE MAIN BODY OVERLYING THE SAID BEARING SURFACE AT POSITIONS APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES AWAY FROM THE SAID SINGLE POSITION. 